Behind-the-scenes: How DSNY is gearing up for the first snow fall 

At its annual “Snow and Tell” event Monday, DSNY gave reporters a behind-the-scenes look at how the department gears up for snow season.

Shakti Denis

Oct 21, 2025, 3:05 AM

Updated 4 hr ago

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Winter may still be weeks away, but the New York City Department of Sanitation is already preparing for the first snowflakes.
At its annual “Snow and Tell” event Monday, DSNY gave reporters a behind-the-scenes look at how the department gears up for snow season - from massive plows and salt spreaders to high-tech snow-melting machines, used to clear roughly 19,000 lane miles of roadway citywide.
Ahead of storms, DSNY trucks spread brine, a mix of salt and water, that prevents snow and ice from sticking to pavement. This winter, the department plans to expand its brine operations to cover major highways across the city.
Smaller, specialized equipment will also be used to clear and salt bike lanes before and during storms.
The department also highlighted its updated BladeRunner 2.0 system, which helps track plow routes and ensure snow removal is done efficiently and equitably across all neighborhoods.